Miniature rose plant named &#39;KORpot064&#39;

ABSTRACT

‘KORpot064’ is a new and distinct variety of  Rosa hybrida  which is characterized by the combination of a compact and upright growth habit, dark green and glossy foliage, very good resistance to Botrytis and powdery mildew, deep pink very-double flowers, and very good shelf life as a pot plant. The new variety propagates successfully by stem cuttings and has shown to be uniform and stable in the resulting generations from asexual propagation.

Latin name of genus and species: The Latin name of the genus and species of the novel variety disclosed herein is Rosa hybrida.

Variety denomination: The inventive variety of Rosa hybrida disclosed herein has been given the variety denomination ‘KORpot064’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Parentage: The Rosa hybrida variety ‘KORpot064’ is the result of a controlled cross-pollination breeding program carried out by the inventor in Offenseth-Sparrieshoop, Germany. The objective of the said breeding program was to create a new and distinct rose plant with unique qualities, such as:

-   -   1. Uniform growth and flowering;     -   2. Abundant attractive pink colored recurrent flowers;     -   3. Attractive and abundant foliage; and     -   4. Excellent shelf life for the plant when grown as a commercial         pot rose.

This combination of qualities is not present in prior rose cultivars known to the inventor. These objectives have been substantially achieved and in that distinguish ‘KORpot064’ from all other varieties known to the inventor.

‘KORpot064’ is a seedling selection which resulted from the controlled pollination of an unnamed Rosa hybrida female breeding line developed and owned by the same inventor, the seed parent, and Rosa hybrida ‘RUId244a’ (not protected in the United States), the pollen parent, during the summer of 2011. As part of a rose development program, Tim-Hermann Kordes germinated seeds from the aforementioned hybridization during the following winter and conducted evaluations and observations on the resulting seedlings in a controlled environment in Offenseth-Sparrieshoop, Germany. The resulting seedlings exhibited distinctive physical and biological characteristics. The new rose plant was selected as a single plant in April of 2012 from the seedling beds due to its superior characteristics and asexually propagated for further evaluation. This new and distinctive rose variety was given the name ‘KORpot064’.

Asexual Reproduction: The first asexual propagation of ‘KORpot064’ was performed in June of 2012 at the inventor's nursery in Offenseth-Sparrieshoop, Germany. Subsequently, ‘KORpot064’ has been successfully propagated by stem cuttings in Jackson County, Oreg. These initial and other subsequent propagations conducted in controlled environments demonstrate that ‘KORpot064’ reproduces true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following characteristics have been repeatedly observed and represent the distinguishing characteristics of the new Rosa hybrida cultivar ‘KORpot064’. These traits, in combination, distinguish ‘KORpot064’ as a new and distinct cultivar.

-   -   1. Rosa hybrida ‘KORpot064’ exhibits a compact, upright growth         habit; and     -   2. Rosa hybrida ‘KORpot064’ exhibits dark green and glossy         foliage; and     -   3. Rosa hybrida ‘KORpot064’ exhibits very good resistance to         Botrytis and powdery mildew; and     -   4. Rosa hybrida ‘KORpot064’ exhibits a very double petal count;         and     -   5. Rosa hybrida ‘KORpot064’ exhibits a medium flower size for a         miniature rose; and     -   6. Rosa hybrida ‘KORpot064’ exhibits very good shelf life as a         pot plant; and     -   7. Rosa hybrida ‘KORpot064’ exhibits deep pink flowers, at         anthesis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying color drawing shows as true as is reasonably possible to obtain in color photographs of this type, the typical characteristics of the buds, sepals, reproductive organs, flowers, leaves, prickles, and stems of ‘KORpot064’, taken from twelve month old plants.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinct variety of Rosa hybrida known as ‘KORpot064’, based upon field observations made in July of 2015, from twelve month old container-grown plants in a greenhouse environment in Jackson County, Oreg. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. ‘KORpot064’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety may differ from the descriptions set forth herein with variations in environmental, climatic and cultural conditions. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 2001 edition except where common terms of color are used.

A botanical description of ‘KORpot064’ and comparisons with other varieties of Rosa hybrida are provided below.

-   General plant description:     -   -   Growth rate.—Moderately vigorous.         -   Growth habit.—Compact and upright.         -   Mature dimensions.—25 to 30 cm tall and 20 cm wide, on             average, when grown as a 10 cm nursery pot.         -   Cold hardiness.—Unknown.         -   Propagation.—Stem cuttings.         -   Disease resistance.—Very good resistance to powdery mildew             (Sphaerotheca pannosa) grid downy mildew (Peronospora             sparsa) in a greenhouse environment in Jackson County, Oreg. -   Root system: Fibrous. -   Stems:     -   -   Stem color.—Young stems are Yellow-Green Group 144A; mature             stems are Yellow-Green Group 146A.         -   Anthocyanin intonations.—Greyed-Red Group 181A intonations             are present on new growth.         -   Stem surface texture.—Both immature and mature stems exhibit             a smooth texture.         -   Stem dimensions.—Typical mature stems are approximately 20             to 25 cm long and 3 to 4 mm in diameter.         -   Prickles.—Incidence — Present; 10 prickles per 10 cm of             stem, on average. Size — Average length is 3 mm. Immature             prickle color — Yellow-Green Group 145C. Mature prickle             color — Yellow-Green Group 145C and senescing to             Greyed-Orange Group 177B. Anthocyanin intonations — None             present. Shape — Linear. Texture — Smooth. -   Leaves:     -   -   Arrangement.—Imparipinnate compound leaves; mature axillary             leaves consisting of 5 leaflets.         -   Attachment.—Petiolate.         -   Dimensions.—70 to 80 mm long and 55 to 60 mm wide, on             average.         -   Abundance.—Average; approximately 50 to 60 leaves per plant.         -   Stipules.—Size — 10 mm long and 4 mm wide. Stipule color —             Green Group 137A. Anthocyanin intonations — None. Stipitate             glands — Abundant on the margins. Margins — Glandular             toothed. Texture, adaxial surfaces — Smooth with fine white             hairs. Texture, abaxial surfaces — Glabrous. Apex —             Apiculate. Base — Winged.         -   Petiole.—Length — Average 15 mm. Diameter — Average 1.5 mm.             Petiole color, adaxial and abaxial surfaces — Yellow-Green             Group 144A. Margins — Entire with a limited number of             stipitate glands. Anthocyanin intonations — Greyed-Red Group             182A on stipitate glands and occasionally on the adaxial             midrib surface. Prickles — None. Stipitate glands — Limited             number; present on the margins. Texture — Smooth, with             abundant fine white hairs. Strength — Somewhat strong.         -   Rachis.—Length — Average 13 mm. Diameter — Average 1 mm.             Color — Green Group 137A on the upper surface and             Yellow-Green Group 144A on the lower surface. Anthocyanin             intonations — Greyed-Red Group 182A on margins. Margins —             Entire. Prickles — A few small prickles on some leaves.             Stipitate glands — Limited number present along margins and             underneath. Pubescence — Abundant fine white hairs on the             upper surface. Texture — Upper surface is smooth; papillate             underneath.         -   Leaflets.—Quantity — Normally 5 leaflets on normal leaves in             middle of the stem. Dimensions — Average size of the             terminal leaflet is 35mm long and 21 mm wide. Shape — Ovate.             Apex — Acuminate. Base — Obtuse. Margins — Serrated; no             undulation. Luster and texture, adaxial surface —             Semi-glossy and smooth. Luster and texture, abaxial surface             — Matte and leathery. Juvenile foliage color, adaxial             surface — Yellow-Green Group 144A. Juvenile foliage color,             abaxial surface — Yellow-Green Group 144A. Mature foliage             color, adaxial surface — Green Group 137A. Mature foliage             color, abaxial surface — Yellow-Green Group 147B.             Anthocyanin intonations — Greyed-Red Group 182A along             margins of juvenile leaflets. Venation — Reticulate.             Petiolule — Dimensions — 1 to 2 mm long and 1 mm in             diameter. Petiolule color, adaxial surface — Green Group             137A. Petiolule color, abaxial surface — Yellow-Green Group             144A with intonations of Greyed-Red Group 182A. Prickles —             None present. Texture, adaxial and abaxial surfaces —             Smooth. Margins — Entire, with limited number of fine hairs             and stipitate glands on both the adaxial and abaxial             surfaces. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Inflorescence type.—Typically solitary flowers; occasionally             multiple flowers arranged in corymbs. Flowers are held             upright.         -   Blooming habit.—Recurrent.         -   Quantity of flowers.—Generally three to four flower buds per             corymb.         -   Size.—80 mm tall and 80 mm wide, on average.         -   Peduncle of corymb.—Length 10 mm average length. Diameter 2             to 3 mm average diameter. Color — Yellow-Green Group 146A.             Anthocyanin intonations — None. Strength — Strong. Texture —             Smooth with a limited number of stipitate glands. Pubescence             — Pubescent; fine white hairs. -   Flowering laterals: Present below the initiation of inflorescence.     Generally 1 to 2 flowering laterals are present, with 2 to 4 flowers     per flowering shoot. -   Bud:     -   -   Bud form.—Long; pointed ovoid.         -   Size.—Upon opening, 20 to 30 mm in length from base of             receptacle to distal end of bud and 15 mm diameter at its             widest point.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color, as sepals first unfold.—Red-Purple Group N66B.         -   Color when one-quarter open, inner side.—Marginal zone —             Red-Purple Group N66C. Middle zone — Red-Purple Group N66C.             Basal zone — Green-White Group 157D.         -   Color when one-quarter open, outer side.—Marginal zone —             Red-Purple Group N66B. Middle zone — Red-Purple Group N66B.             Basal zone — Green-White Group 157D. -   Flower:     -   -   Pedicels, solitary flowers and flowers of corymbs.—Surface —             Glabrous with an abundance of stipitate glands are present.             Length — 20 to 35 mm, on average. Diameter — 2 to 3 mm, on             average. Color — Yellow-Green Group 144C. Anthocyanin             intonations — Greyed-Purple Group 178C on stipitate glands             only. Strength ' Somewhat strong. Texture — Papillate.         -   Calyx.—General — Comprised of five polysepalous sepals, with             weak foliaceous appendages present on three of the five             sepals. Diameter of calyx — 50 mm, at anthesis. Sepals —             Color, adaxial surface — Yellow-Green Group 144A. Color,             abaxial surface — Yellow-Green Group 147C. Anthocyanin             intonations — Greyed-Purple Group 178C is present only on             stipitate glands. Size — 20 to 30 mm long and 7 mm wide, on             average. Apex — Both cirrose and apiculate apices observed.             Base — Flat at union with receptacle. Quantity — Five.             Texture, adaxial surface — Hoary. Texture, abaxial surface —             Papillate. Margins — Cilliate. Stipitate glands — Limited to             abundant on the abaxial surface.         -   Corolla.—General shape of corolla — Round; rosette. Shape of             corolla when viewed from the side — Upon opening, upper             portion — Flattened convex. Upon opening, lower portion —             Flattened convex. Open flower, upper portion — Flattened             convex. Open flower, lower portion — Flat. Dimensions —             Medium for a miniature rose. When open, the average flower             diameter is 50 to 55 mm and the average flower height is             20 mm. Fragrance — None. Duration — On the plant 18 to 24             days. Senesced petals clinging. Petals — Petal count —             Exhibits very double flowers with approximately 50 petals             under normal conditions. Petal arrangement — Formal. Petal             reflex — Innermost petals are somewhat; outermost petals are             strongly reflexed; occasionally doubly reflexed. Timing of             petal reflex — One-by-one. Petal margin — Entire; innermost             petals are somewhat ruffled. Petal shape — Obovate; some of             the innermost petals are irregular. Apex — Acute. Base —             Cuneate. Dimensions — 14 to 20 mm long and 6 to 20 mm wide.             Texture, inner surface — Smooth. Texture, outer surface —             Smooth. Petal color, upon opening — Outermost petals, inner             surface — Marginal zone — Red-Purple Group N66C. Middle zone             — Red-Purple Group N66D. Basal zone — Green-White Group             157A. Outermost petals, outer surface — Marginal zone —             Red-Purple Group N66C, with intonations of Red-Purple Group             N66D. Middle zone — Red-Purple Group N66C, with intonations             of Red-Purple Group N66D. Basal zone — Green-White Group             157A. Innermost petals, inner surface — Marginal zone —             Red-Purple Group 58C. Middle zone — Red-Purple Group 58D.             Basal zone — Yellow Group 2A. Innermost petals, outer             surface — Marginal zone — Red-Purple Group 58C, with             intonations of Yellow Group 4C on the midrib. Middle zone —             Red-Purple Group 58C, with intonations of Yellow Group 4C on             the midrib. Basal zone — Yellow Group 2B. Basal petal spots,             upon opening — No distinct coloration at the petal base.             Petal color, after opening — Outermost petals, inner surface             — Marginal zone — Red-Purple Group 65A. Middle zone —             Red-Purple Group 65B. Basal zone — White Group 155A.             Outermost petals, outer surface — Marginal zone — Red-Purple             Group 68B, with intonations of White Group 155C. Middle zone             — Red-Purple Group 68B, with intonations of White Group             155C. Basal zone — White Group 155C. Innermost petals, inner             surface — Marginal zone — Red-Purple Group N66C. Middle zone             — Red-Purple Group N66D. Basal zone — White Group 155C.             Innermost petals, outer surface — Marginal zone — Red-Purple             Group N66C, with intonations of White Group 155C. Middle             zone — Red-Purple Group N66C, with intonations of White             Group 155C. Basal zone — White Group 155C. Basal petal             spots, after opening — No distinct coloration at the petal             base. General Tonality — On open flower, Red-Purple Group             62A. No change in the general tonality at the end of the             tenth day. Afterwards, general tonality is Red-Purple 62D.             Petaloids — Quantity — 20 petaloids per flower, on average.             Dimensions — Approximately 3 to 15 mm long and 2 to 5 mm             wide. Color, inner surface — Marginal zone — Red-Purple             Group N66D. Middle zone — Red-Purple Group N66D. Basal zone             — White Group 155A. Color, outer surface — Marginal zone —             Red-Purple Group N66B with intonations of White Group 155A             on the midrib. Middle zone — Red-Purple Group N66C with             intonations of White Group 155A on the midrib. Basal zone —             White Group 155A. Margins — Undulated. Shape — Spatulate;             many petaloids are highly irregular. Apex — Obtuse. Base —             Attenuate. Texture, inner and outer surfaces — Smooth. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens.—Quantity — Approximately 50, on average, and             regularly arranged around the styles. Anthers — Shape —             Reniform. Dimensions — 1.5 to 2 mm long and 1 mm wide, on             average. Color — Yellow-Orange Group 16B. Pollen — Generally             absent. Filaments — Color — Green-Yellow Group 1B. Length —             3 to 4 mm.         -   Pistils.—Quantity — Average; approximately 60. Stigmas —             Dimensions — 0.5 mm long and 0.5 mm wide. Location —             Superior in position to anthers. Color — Greyed-Yellow Group             162D. Styles — Length — Approximately 7 mm long. Color —             Yellow-Green Group 145D, with intonations of Red-Purple             Group N66A.         -   Ovary.—Dimensions — 2 mm long and 1.5 mm in diameter. Color             — Yellow-Green Group 145D.         -   Receptacle.—Shape — Funnel-shaped; occasionally urn-shaped.             Dimensions — Approximately 4 to 5 mm high and 6 to 7 mm             wide. Surface texture and pubescence — Smooth, slightly             glaucous and pubescent; abundance of fine white hairs. Color             — Yellow-Green Group 144B. -   Hips and seed formation: Not observed. -   Comparisons with the parents: The new rose plant may be     distinguished from its seed parent, an unnamed female breeding line,     by the following combination of characteristics: 1. ‘KORpot064’     exhibits a deep pink general tonality of the flower, whereas the     seed parent exhibits a cherry red general tonality of the flower. 2.     ‘KORpot064’ exhibits a medium flower size for a miniature rose,     whereas the seed parent exhibits a large flower for a miniature     rose. 3. ‘KORpot064’ exhibits a very-double flower petal count,     whereas the seed parent exhibits a semi-double flower petal count. -   The new rose plant may be distinguished from its pollen parent, Rosa     hybrida ‘RUId244a’, by the following combination of     characteristics: 1. ‘KORpot064’ exhibits a deep pink general     tonality of the flower, whereas ‘RUId244a’ exhibits a soft pink     general tonality of the flower. 2. ‘KORpot064’ exhibits a mostly     solitaire flowers, whereas ‘RUId244a’ exhibits flowers in small     clusters. 3. ‘KORpot064’ exhibits very good shelf life as a pot     plant, whereas ‘RUId244a’ exhibits average shelf life as a pot     plant. -   Comparison with the most similar Rosa cultivar known to the     inventor: For a comparison, several physical characteristics of the     rose variety ‘KORcarubo’ (unprotected in the United States), a rose     variety from the same inventor are compared to ‘KORpot064’ in Chart     1.

CHART 1 Characteristic ‘KORpot064’ ‘KORcarubo’ General tonality of the Red-Purple Group Red-Purple Group flower. 62A. 58C. Average diameter of the 50 to 55 mm. 50 mm. corolla, at anthesis. Flower petal count. 50. 30 to 40. 

That which is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct variety of rose plant named ‘KORpot064’, as described and illustrated herein. 